Main
Karla Fettich, PhD
I am enthusiastic about using my skills, expertise and 10+ years of healthcare analytics experience to make a lasting positive impact in the community. Professionally, I develop analytics and machine-learning approaches to improve health care solutions. Personally, I serve as a volunteer leader of efforts to increase diversity in the Philadelphia data science community and provide analytics insights to non-profit organizations in the greater Philadelphia area through datathons and software product development.
Education
I speak several languages including German (native), Romanian (native), French (basic) and Spanish (basic).
PhD, Psychology Neuroscience
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
2016 - 2011
- Dissertation: Coordinated neuromorphology in the development of social information processing
- Advanced Training Institute on Exploratory Data Mining in Behavioral Research
BA, Psychology
Jacobs University Bremen
Bremen, Germany
2005 - 2002
Healthcare Analytics Experience
Senior Data Scientist
AmeriHealth Caritas
Newtown Square, PA
present - 2021
- Developed machine learning models in R for risk stratification of CHC members, including both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
- Conducted exploratory data mining analyses, created insights decks and presentations to internal clients, and led a collaborative analytics project
- Improved analytics efficiency by reducing meeting overhead, automating workflows, developing solutions to move away from legacy systems, and coordinating with other teams to facilitate access to needed tools
- Led knowledge-sharing sessions on modern tools in data science for colleagues across multiple teams
Head of Analytics & Algorithm Development
Orchestrall, Inc.
Conshohocken, PA
2021 - 2015
- Lead healthcare data science consulting projects to derive insights from clinical data and multidisciplinary teams
- Develop and test predictive models for operational implementation
- Select optimal tools for statistical modeling, including decision trees, logistic regression, conditional inference forests, multiple imputation
- Develop algorithms to power intelligent healthcare applications for the senior care market, including outcome prediction, anomaly detection, and logistics optimization; our solution earned the Excellence in Technology Award for Dignity in Long-Term Care
- Conduct end-to-end analyses including study design, data identification/collection, ETL, analysis, and communication of findings
- Implement analytical models into production through collaborations with the software development team
Graduate Research Assistant
Neurocognition Lab
Temple University
2016 - 2013
- Introduced and applied machine learning techniques (e.g. support vector machines, multivoxel pattern analysis, graph theory, network analysis) and high performance computing tools
- Assessed new data sources for value creation, attracting new research opportunities through a large, multi-site research network
- Evaluated and communicated technical advantages and tradeoffs between statistical models
- Solved difficult, non-routine analysis problems using large, complex data sets
Graduate Clinical Research Assistant
Mechanisms of Affect Dysregulation Lab
Temple University
2013 - 2011
- Supported and executed a wide range of clinical psychology studies including survey research, clinical treatment trials, neuroimaging studies, and secondary data research
- Designed and conducted a neuroimaging research study assessing affective risk factors in clinical populations
- Collaborated with the research coordinator, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as researchers from other sites to deliver high-quality peer-reviewed publications and academic conference presentations
Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Adult Eating and Weight Disorders Clinic
The University of Chicago
2011 - 2009
- Planned and conducted statistical analyses of cross-sectional, time series, epidemiological, health outcomes and clinical data
- Optimized clinical participant recruitment and retention through data analytics
- Coordinated recruitment, screening, intake, assessment, treatment and follow-up stages several research projects, including a large NIMH-funded clinical trial and pilot studies using psychophysiological data (fMRI, RSA)
- Contributed to manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed publications and gave conference presentations
I have extensive experience with academic research, including clinical trials and studies using neuroimaging and psychophysiological data.
Leadership
I enjoy learning via hands-on projects that have a real and positive impact, and I seek to create opportunities to make this type of learning available to the wider community.
Project Leader
Philadelphia, PA
present - 2019
- Lead a team to create a 360-degree view of PAWS’ constituents to help development and operations
- Work closely with project management team, peer data scientists, engineers, developers and Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society representatives to build a data lake
- Oversee team efforts in data processing, cleansing, and verifying data integrity
Organizer & Board Member
Philadelphia, PA
present - 2018
- Work to increase gender diversity in the data science community in Philadelphia
- Create learning, networking and leadership opportunities for over 1500 members via monthly meetups focused on R and collaborations with other data groups in the city
Lead Datathon Organizer
Collaborate with non-profit organizations to articulate business questions, translate them into viable analytics projects for volunteer data scientists; coordinate the volunteer effort, and help data scientists translate their findings into into clear and actionable business insights
Philadelphia, PA
present - 2018
- Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society: Animal Shelter Volunteer Engagement (2018) and Animal Adoptions (2019)
- Health Federation of Philadelphia, Prevention Point, the City of Philadelphia: Opioid Epidemic (2020)
- Judge Accountability Table: Judicial patterns in Philadelphia courts (2021)
Teaching
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor
Statistics
Temple University
2014
- Taught weekly introductory statistics lab sections (75 undergraduate students) with positive student feedback
- Provided one-on-one tutoring and exam preparation on an as-needed basis
- Administered and corrected exams and liaised between students and the course instructor
Continuing Education
Health Insurance
AHIP
Online
present - 2021
- Professional, Health Insurance Advanced Studies (in progress)
Data Science
Coursera
Online
2021
- Microsoft Azure Machine Learning Studio: Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning Pipelines, Deep Learning Inference
- Causal Inference: Inferring Causal Effects from Observational Data
Volunteer Work
Selected Publications
The interactive effects of peers and alcohol on functional brain connectivity in young adults
N/A
N/A
2019
At risk of being risky: The relationship between “brain age” under emotional states and risk preference
N/A
N/A
2017
Coping With Obesity Stigma Affects Depressed Mood in African-American and White Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
N/A
N/A
2012